^Introduction - The Link System\

In Tutorial 1 you were introduced to the concept of consciously associating
items together in your mind.  In doing this, you were applying a small part
of the ^'Link'\ or^ 'Chain'\ Memory System.  You were forming the links of a
memory chain, by systematically linking one item to another.  If you make
the associations strong enough in your mind, then one item in the chain
|must\ lead you on to the next item.

Once the Link system has been applied to a list, you can retain that list
for as long as you wish.  Of course, there's no reason why you should retain
the list of items you Linked during Tutorial 1 - they were just everyday
items with no logical connection.

But when you begin to apply the Link System for practical reasons, you will
be memorising lists because you intend to make use of those lists.  The
practical use will provide the motivation to remember it in the first place.

The Link System can be used to memorise any information which has to be
learned in sequence.  Speeches, presentations, stories, jokes, recipes, and
formulas are all examples of things which must be learned in sequence.#

The  most  common  problem experienced by people trying to  learn  the  Link
System is how to make their mental pictures sufficiently |ludicrous\ to make
strong  associations.   It does take a certain amount of imagination to form
ridiculous pictures in your mind.  Children have no trouble in forming silly
or ludicrous pictures - they do it %naturally\.

Unfortunately,   as we grow up,  most of us tend to use our imagination less
and  less,  and so it becomes a little rusty.   However,  that capacity  for
imagination  we  had when we were children is still there - it just needs  a
little  oiling.    Applying  the Memory Master  systems  will  automatically
provide the exercise that your imagination needs.

So  don't  worry if at first you have to apply some effort to  create  those
ludicrous  mental pictures.   After a bit of practice,  you'll find that you
can do it quickly and easily.#

There  are  five  basic  principles you can apply  in  forming  your  mental
pictures which will help to make your associations strong and long lasting -

(1) < OUT OF PROPORTION\ - In all your images, try to distort size and
shape.  In Tutorial 1, you were told to picture a <'Huge'\ sausage or a
<'Gigantic'\ tie.  Conversely, you can make things microscopically small.

(2) >SUBSTITUTION\ - Tutorial 1 suggested that you visualise footballers
kicking a television around a football pitch >instead\ of a football, or
pens growing on a tree instead of leaves.  Substituting an out of place item
in an image increases the probability of recall.

(3) $EXAGGERATION\ - Try to picture vast quantities in your images.  For
example, Tutorial 1 used the word $'billions'\ (of bananas).

(4) %MOVEMENT\ - Any movement or action is always easy to remember.  For
example, Tutorial 1 suggested that you see yourself cutting into a sausage
and gallons of ink %squirting out\ and hitting you in the face.

(5) ^HUMOUR\ - The funnier, more absurd and zany you can make your images,
the more memorable they will be.#

Applying any combination of these five principles when forming your images
will help make your mental associations truly outstanding and memorable.

At first you may find that you need to consciously apply one or more of the
five principles in order to make your pictures sufficiently ludicrous.
After a little practice however, you should find that applying the
principles becomes an >automatic\ and natural process.

            ^Press Page Down to proceed to Tutorial 2~